Digital Vehicle Key Access for Remote Status and Function Rights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital vehicle key technologies provide limited functionalities and require multiple identifiers for remote vehicle access, lacking efficient utilization and integration with dynamic status information access.

Innovation Solution

A server communicatively coupled to a vehicle via a network processes request data indicating a digital vehicle key, determining compliance with assigned access and control rights to execute vehicle functions or provide status information without additional identifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple identifiers are used for remote vehicle access, then security and access control are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidnumber of identifiers required
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple identifier functions (vehicle access rights, user authentication, and dynamic status information access) into a single digital vehicle key identifier. This merging eliminates the need for separate third-party identifiers while maintaining security through integrated authorization checks on the server side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The digital vehicle key identifier serves multiple functions: it authenticates the user, authorizes vehicle access, and enables access to dynamic status information. This multi-functional identifier replaces the traditional need for multiple separate identifiers, simplifying the system while maintaining comprehensive access control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple identifiers are used for remote vehicle access, then access control security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidnumber of identifiers to manage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple identifier management tasks into a single digital vehicle key, eliminating the operational burden of managing multiple separate identifiers while maintaining robust security through server-side authorization verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If digital vehicle key functionalities are limited, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability and versatility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidvehicle key functionalities
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal digital vehicle key system that can perform multiple functions including vehicle access, status information retrieval, and various vehicle control operations. The server-side architecture enables flexible functionality assignment without increasing client device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary that handles complex authorization and functionality management, allowing the digital vehicle key to provide versatile access without requiring complex logic in the mobile device. The server mediates between the key and various vehicle functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If third-party identifiers are used for accessing vehicle functions, then access control is improved, but loss of information increases due to multiple identifier requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess controlVSAvoididentifier management overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of third-party identifiers into the digital vehicle key itself, eliminating information loss associated with managing multiple separate identifiers while maintaining secure access control through integrated authorization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4177118B1Apparatus, user equipment, system and method
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP4177118B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4177118B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4177118B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to receive request data. The request data indicate a request to provide dynamic status information about a vehicle and/or to execute a vehicle function at the vehicle. The request data further indicate an identifier of a digital vehicle key for the vehicle and/or a token derived from the digital vehicle key. Further, the apparatus comprises circuitry configured to determine, based on the identifier of the digital vehicle key and/or the token, whether the request is in compliance with vehicle access and/or control rights assigned to the digital vehicle key. In addition, the apparatus comprises circuitry configured to process the request, if it is determined that the request is in compliance with the vehicle access and/or control rights assigned to the digital vehicle key.